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York County developer seeking to replace DePasquale in state House

Bill Swartz, 43, of Spring Garden Township, wants to appear on the ballot as the Green Party candidate.

By ED MAHON Daily Record/Sunday News

Updated:
01/29/2013 10:23:48 PM EST

Bill Swartz (SUBMITTED)

York, PA -

A developer and president of a real estate management business plans to run as the Green Party candidate to replace former state Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-West Manchester Township.

Bill Swartz, president of Sherman Property Management Inc. and co-developer of the Codo apartments, announced his candidacy Tuesday.

"I really care about this community as a business person, as a taxpayer, and as a citizen," Swartz, 43, of Spring Garden Township, said in a phone interview.

Swartz said he'll be collecting signatures to try to appear on the ballot. For the 95th district, he will need at least 337 signatures, according to Department of State spokesman Ron Ruman.

His nomination papers need to be filed on or before April 1, Ruman said.

Swartz said education, tax reform, housing policy and environmental policy are some of the most pressing issues facing the state.

"We're very confident in Bill Swartz's ability. He will bring a lot to the debate," said James Rountrey, chairman of the York County Green Party.

Last week, York County Republicans formally picked Bryan Tate, vice president of philanthropy at the York County Community Foundation, as their party's nominee. His paperwork has been filed with the state, according to Ruman.

York County Democrats formally recommended that Kevin Schreiber, the city's director of economic and community development, be their party's nominee.

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Bob Kefauver, chairman of the York County Democratic Party, said he expects the Pennsylvania Democratic Party's executive committee to officially approve Schreiber for ballot access as the Democratic candidate on Feb. 9.

Libertarians, like their Democratic and Republican peers, can directly appoint candidates to the ballot for this special election, according to Ruman.

Manuel Gomez, a spokesman for the York County Libertarian Party, said officials are still actively seeking a candidate.

"We are ready to back a candidate should one come forward," Gomez said. "We really wish someone would."

The 95th district includes York, West York, North York, Spring Garden Township and part of West Manchester Township. DePasquale vacated the seat when he became state auditor general earlier this month.

The special election will take place with the statewide primary in May.

About Swartz

Bill Swartz is a member of the executive board of Better York and a member of the York Rotary Club, according to the release announcing his candidacy.

The release also states that Swartz:

--- served on the municipal work group for Metro-York, and recently stepped down from the board of Central Market after spending four years working with others to raise funds for the market's renovation;

--- attended York Suburban School District and earned a degree in philosophy from Colgate University in New York;

--- and worked in the field for Kinsley Construction and served as a caseworker at Bell Family Shelter, prior to founding Sherman Property Management in 1998.